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AMERICAN MONUMENTS OF THE MEDIA – Dr. Simone Weil Davis
Americans are all paying enormous attention to the space where the
Twin Towers stood and are asking how best to commemorate the losses
of 9/11. We know why this matters so much: monuments work as interpreters,
affecting the way people think about the events and lives to which
they attest. So, "which" interpretation do we want to
validate in stone? Our other, even more central, national interpreters
of the events of war and peacetime are the media. Mass media organs,
both news and entertainment, extend to their audiences clear, often
noisy interpretations of military and peacetime endeavors –
and it is quite difficult to see beyond these interpretations. The
presentation will take a look at three American national structures
and at three textual or media interactions with them: 1) The Statue
of Liberty as interpreted by the televised "Liberty Weekend"
festivities in 1986 when lee Iococca restored the statue, 2) The
Pentagon as interpreted by Abbie Hoffman and his fellow Yippees
in 1968 when they performed a mock exorcism of the military’s
nerve center as part of a massive anti-war protest, 3) The Vietnam
Veterans War Memorial as interpreted by the 15-year old protagonist
of Bobbie Ann Mason’s novel, In Country, whose journey to the
memorial provides her with her own real experience of the war allowing
the mourning of her father the three-dimensionality it needs to
become healing. Lastly, as a group we can discuss the media’s
portrayal of the Twin Towers and Ground Zero and do our own brainstorming
about the kind of monument that should commemorate the lives lost
on September 11, 2001.
ARTISTS RESPOND TO WAR AND PEACE – Ms. Barbara Applegate, Ms.
Barbara Cantone
Ms. Applegate and Ms. Cantone, staff members of the Hillwood Art
Museum, will lead a discussion about various artists’ reactions
to war and peace. Using both slides and actual works of art, Ms.
Applegate and Ms. Cantone will encourage participants to examine
their own reactions to war and peace in modern western civilization.
The seminar will focus on such artists as Pablo Picasso, Francesco
Goya, Eugene Delacroix, Claude Monet, Henry Moore, and Jackson Pollock.
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL TERRORISM – Dr. Linda Wenze
Biological and chemical agents have been used in the world during
combat. And terrorism occurs every day; we see it on our cable news
networks. How likely is it that these types of agents could be deployed
in the United States by terrorist? If they were used, what would
be the health effects? More importantly, what would be the effects
on society? This presentation will concentrate on these issues and
present information about a variety of agents that already exists
and some that might be developed.
DOLCE EST DECORUM – Professor Patrick Aievoli
This presentation is named after and focuses on a recent work inspired
by the twentieth century poet, W. Owens. The theme of the work,
which was created in response to 9/11, is that war is never a good
response, concept, or answer. Professor Aievoli will lead a discussion
dealing with a resolution toward the feelings generated from 9/11
and other events that have led up to the attack and will include
a greater understanding of the course of human history, economic
structure, and how those two issues intersect. War economy cycles?
Have we ever enjoyed a time of peace and prosperity for longer than
twenty years? Will we ever leave the cycle? What will it take?
EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP AND GLOBAL PEACE – Dr.
Iftikhar Ahmad
Global peace requires deliberation among and between societies and
nations. Societies and nations that seek to resolve their conflicts
through deliberation do not use force, and hence, they avoid war
and mutual destruction. But deliberation is a skill which must be
acquired through formal and informal education for democratic citizenship.
Education for democratic citizenship is about the teaching and learning
of democratic norms, values and respect for cultural diversity.
Education for democratic citizenship has four components: knowledge,
values, attitude, and participation skills. This means that citizens
of a democratic society are well informed, believe in freedom and
justice, have democratic attitudes, and actively participate in
the civic life of their counties.
On the other hand, societies that ignore education for democratic
citizenship leave political decision making in the hands of a few
and consequently squander away the future of their young citizens.
Citizens who are ignorant about their own country and the world
around them are intolerant of other cultures and have little participation
skills, which makes them easily misled by demagogue politicians.
Ignorant citizens can also be pushed into unnecessary violence by
their ultra-nationalist leaders. Thus, in order to achieve global
peace, it is imperative that we emphasize education for democratic
citizenship at all levels. Let us give all young citizens democratic
values, teach them respect for diversity, help them build a democratic
attitude, and teach them the skills for civic participation both
at local and global levels.
FEAR NOT THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED:
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CROSS-CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
– Dr. Mark Pires
In the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Americans
have struggled to make sense of the turbulent world in which we
live. As we mourn the loss of life and heal the physical and emotional
wounds inflicted upon us on that infamous day, we are faced with
the challenge of redefining our relationship to the rest of the
world and determining how best to prevent such tragedy from ever
reoccurring. As we proceed with this unprecedented and daunting
task, I am personally concerned about the prospect of an America
that risks turning itself inward becoming increasing isolated at
a time when the world is becoming progressively "globalized."
Personally, I believe there would be nothing more perilous than
for our society to disengage itself from the global community to
which it belongs, and particularly to the parts of that community
which it tends not to know very well. Over the last two decades
I have spent considerable time living and working in a part of the
world, Africa, that most of my compatriots know little about. To
many in America, a visit to Africa would certainly be a journey
down the road "less traveled by"; for me, my visits there
have, as Frost put it, "made all the difference." As a
strong believer in the value of cross-cultural learning that can
be acquainted via firsthand experience, I wish to share my reflections
on what it has meant to me to have engaged the "terra incognita"
of Africa, and why I sincerely hope that recent events will not
preclude others from considering a venture down their roads less
traveled at some time in the future.
GLOBALIZATION: THE HUMAN DRAMA – Dr. Shahid Siddiqi
This presentation takes a multidisciplinary view of globalization
and attempts to identify the very roots of the phenomenon. It’s
prime focus is MAN – his heritage, his ethos, his destiny.
In short, it documents and analyzes the drama of the global evolution
of man from simplicity to complexity, from intra-spatial concerns
to extra-spatial challenges, from unity to diversity, from similarity
to differentiation. This presentation presumes unity but celebrates
diversity.
LIVING WITH TERROR, WORKING WITH TRAUMA – Dr. Danielle Knafo
What can we learn from the Israelis about living with terror and
working with trauma? Dr. Knafo, a psychoanalyst and associate professor
of clinical psychology, lived and worked in Israel for 12 years.
In her talk, she offers a unique perspective to understanding the
challenges of living in a world where terror reigns and post-traumatic
disorders flourish and require special treatment. Dr. Knafo is currently
editing a book on the subject.
NEW PARADIGM OR BURSTING BUBBLE: VALUATION DIFFICULTIES OF THE U.S.
ECONOMY – Mr. David Courtemanche
As business and market cycles fluctuate it becomes difficult to
discern between changes in fundamental profitability and failings
of valuation. As the U.S. equity market rose in the 1990’s,
many touted the "New Paradigm," while it now appears that
this bubble is bursting. In addition, issues like the World Trade
Center disaster and corporate scandal have complicated the issue
of valuation. In this lecture, Mr. Courtemanche will address these
points and discuss in particular whether the markets have responded
appropriately to the events of the past year.
PHOTOGRAPHING WAR – Professor Susan Zeig
During this presentation, the audience will view sections from documentary
films including: Last Images of War (1992) directed by Stephen Olsson
and Scott Andrews, and War Photographer (2001) directed by Christian
Frei. Following this, Professor Zeig will lead a discussion on image
ethics and the place of a journalist within tragic situations. James
Nachtway says, "The worst thing is to feel that as a photographer
I am benefiting from someone else’s tragedy†if I ever allow
genuine compassion to be overtaken by personal ambition I will have
sold my soul."
TERRORISM AND U.S. FOREIGN POLICY – Dr. David Sprintzen
The presentation will explore the definition, nature, and uses of
terrorism. It will consider the nature of the state and the forces
within and between states that determine policy. We will then review
U.S. policy in relation to terrorism, both past and present, and
consider the range of possible responses and their potential consequences.
THE ALLY – Mr. Joshua Pearson
This one-act play examines the roles of love, loss, and duty in
war. The story focuses on a female French Resistance member and
her relationship with an American soldier during the Second World
War. What happens when she is forced to confront the worst of the
enemies brings this story to an exciting conclusion.
THE BATTLE OF CASSINO AS SEEN THROUGH AN ADOLESCENT’S EYES
– Professor Jean Carlomusto
In this presentation, Professor Carlomusto will screen excerpts
from her forthcoming videotape Monte Cassino that conveys the experience
of being a civilian caught on the front line of a battle. Monte
Cassino is an autobiographical videotape that juxtaposes the recollections
of Carlomusto’s father as a 13 year old boy in Italy during
the WWII bombing of the abbey of Monte Cassino with U.S. War Department
propganda films.
Monte Cassino extends it’s exploration of the plight of civilians
caught on battlefields to include the 9/11 attack on the World Trade
Center and the subsequent civilian causalities during the ongoing
war with Afghanistan.
THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY – Dr.
Roslyn Muraskin
Today, our world of 2002 is a different place than it was in the
21st century. What occurred on September 11, 2001 was evil. "A
hoary word smacking of medieval notions of Satan or gothic novels,
evil has been dusted off and has been enjoying somewhat of a comeback
as a description of profoundly bad actions and those who perform
them. Evil, the product of actions or failures to act by identifiable
individuals, can be as banal as Hannah Arendt showed in reference
to the unexceptional weaklings who carried out the Nazi horrors.
It can be grand and satanic as masterminded by the likes of Hitler,
Stalin, and the other monsters of history, among which we may now
include Osama Bin laden. But in reality the monsters cannot succeed
without armies of mindless robots willing to carry out any order
for the sake of their own ease, their own skin, their own vicious
instincts, or simply because they have been asked to do so. Together,
they did something incredibly and overwhelmingly wicked."
This presentation will be a summary of the views of criminal justice
academics who participated at a conference on Terrorism in June
2002 in Newport, and will be part of a special edition of The Justice
Professional, Fall 2002.
THE WAR I KNEW: PERSONAL WRITING AND EXPERIENCES FROM WWII –
Dr. Dan Levin
Dr. Levin will read from various publications including the war
novel, "Mask of Glory," the war poetry, "The Iwo
Jima Cycle," and his own war memoir, "From the Battlefield."
During this presentation, he will also lead a discussion on the
parallel which may or may not exist between the tragedy of Pearl
Harbor and the tragedy of September 11, the comparison of American
attitudes as WWII began to his own romantic approach, and the problem
of finding a valid replacement for the age-old attraction of war
and whether one is really desirable and/or feasible.
THINKING OF PEACE THROUGH THE BODY - Dr. Arthur Lothstein
TRAGEDY AND REPRESENTATION FROM THE HOLOCAUST to 9/11: CINEMATIC
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES – Dr. David Sterritt
The attacks of September 11th have unleashed waves of media representation
that both recall and contrast with representations of the holocaust
and its horrors. In this context it is interesting to note the progression
of Holocaust representation through several stages, to compare this
with media representation of 9/11 so far, and to speculate on how
future representations might unfold.
WAR GAMES – Dr. John Lutz
Since September 11th thoughts of violence, destruction, and war
have never been far from the minds of any of us. What counts as
an act of aggression sufficiently threatening to justify declaring
war? What are the moral obligations both of the soldier and the
civilian during wartime? When is violence justified? What is the
relationship between justice and violence? What is the difference
between a just and unjust war? Through a series of imaginary scenarios
involving role-playing, we will simulate the experience of war and
address the moral problems it raises. Participants will be asked
to choose from a variety of roles in an imaginary conflict and discuss
with others the reasons for their choices.
WAR AND WATER – Mr. Michael Kane
We are in the midst of a "World Water Crisis," and world
visionaries predict a dismal future. In 1995, Ismail Serageldin,
Vice President of the World Bank predicted "the wars of the
next century will be about water." The work of Mr. Kane makes
a conscious attempt to blur the lines between fine art, education,
and activism. "Water and War" is one of the most critical
issues of the 21st century, and Mr. Kane will be taking a look at
this issue in this lecture from may angles.
WHAT EVERY PEACE LOVING COLLEGE STUDENT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TERRORISM
– Dr. Harvey Kushner
Dr. Kushner is a renowned C.W. Post faculty member who specializes
in terrorism and is heard frequently on radio and television.
WHAT THE POET KNOWS: IMAGES AND SOLACE OF TERROR – Dr. Belinda
Kremer
At the Dodge Poetry Festival in mid-September 2002, former Poet
Laureate Robert Pinsky noted that, "†often, the best poems
about a cataclysmic event are written years or even centuries before
it." This is true – but how can it be? What are the archetypal
images and metaphors that both terrorize and console us, and how
and where do they appear in poems over time? What poems were we
drawn to on September 11, 2002, and why? A chance to experience,
through reading, listening, and discussion, the poems we turn to
for confirmation of our very humanity, and to understand why we
need such poems in times of both peace and war.
WHY THEY HATE US SO? – Dr. Anne Burns/Dr. Ralph Knopf
The attack upon the United States on September 11, 2001 has murdered
thousands of innocent people and greatly harmed the quality of life
in our country. It has also set back progressive movements in this
country and the world. Those who planned this attack should be condemned,
and determined measures to defend us against future attacks must
be taken. But this is not enough. We must face the fact that this
attack is a product of a climate of hate against our country that
exists in many parts of the world. If we wish to avoid the prospect
of perpetual war, and the destruction of the hopes and dreams of
our own people, we must do more than simply take military and police
measures. We must begin to ask the question, why so many people
over the world hate us so.
President Bush has sought to answer this question by stating that
we are hated because we are committed to the cause of freedom. A
rising worldwide anti-globalization movement involving masses of
young people finds the reason in the perception that our foreign
policy is and has been an instrument of multi-national corporations
that are pauperizing the people of the third world.
WTC: UNIQUE TRAGEDY OR DÉJÀ VU - Dr. Regis Courtemanche
American history shows other violent and surprising incidents that
shook our nation: Pearl Harbor, JKF’s death, Sputnik, and more.
This presentation will take a look at the similarities and differences
of these events and what was really unique about September 11th.
SEE SCHEDULE
OF EVENTS FOR TIMES AND LOCATIONS.
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